Australia is one of the best countries to travel in the world and there are hundreds of amazing places to see.
Not many places though compare to the spectacular East Coast where you can find cities, beaches, islands and so much more.
The east East Coast of Australia is one of the most popular tourism destinations and there are lots of places you can visit and things to do.
To help you plan the most amazing trip of your life we have put together some recommendations for where to go, what to do, how to travel and also tips for the perfect itinerary.
How Long Do You Need to Travel East Coast Australia?
There are lots of places on the East Coast of Australia and some of the distances can be long.
If you are limited on time, don’t worry, you can see some of the main highlights within a short period for example two weeks. Although a trip in just 14 days can be slightly rushed and you are guaranteed to not see everywhere.
If you want to enjoy the East Coast to the maximum, we recommend plan to spend at least 4 weeks which allows you to see most of the essential stop offs. If you are lucky enough to have even more time like 6 weeks you really can discover most of the highlights at a very relaxed pace.
We have put together suggested itineraries suggestions below with essential places not to miss. Start planning your East Coast adventure today.
Best Ways to Travel
There are several options when it comes to travelling the east coast, both independently or via tour. The most popular ways to get around include:
• Car – flexible, go where you want when you want
• Bus – one of the cheapest ways to travel
• Campervan – view our tips for travelling Australia by campervan
• Tours – new people, lots of fun, get guided to the best locations, hassle free
Must Visit Places on the East Coast of Australia
There are so many highlights and places not to miss on your East Coast Australia itinerary. Check out our list of essential locations to see, and have starting south travelling north, although you can also do the same trip starting north and heading south.
Sydney
Sydney is one of the most famous cities in the world and it really is an essential stop off for any trip to Australia.
The chances are if you are flying from overseas, whether for tourism or working holidays in Australia, Sydney will be the first city you land in. Stopping in Sydney for a least three nights is recommended, especially if you are arrived after a long flight so you can recover from any jetlag.
You could spend weeks exploring Sydney as there is so much to do here including Siân the world-famous Opera house and harbour bridge, exploring the popular rocks neighbourhood, riding a ferry to visit different places and also visiting the local beaches like a manly and Byron Bay.
Sydney is one of the most expensive places to visit in Australia as a tourist and accommodation here is sky high. There are great transport links with other locations in Australia and up the east coast, you can rent a car, rent a campervan, take a bus service or even catch an internal flight.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island is on of the most stunning off the beaten track destinations in Australia and a great excursion to take on the East Coast. There are trips for backpackers families and luxury travellers are like. A popular option is to rent a 4×4 and then camp out on Fraser Island. This can be a really amazing adventure where you got to see beautiful places have a beaches to yourself and even visit lakes which are out of this world in terms of beauty. You will have to watch out for the local dingoes a type of dog who might try and steal your food.
Byron Bay
Byron Bay is one of our top rated places but you must stop off on the stairs to Australia. Byron Bay isn’t a huge city it’s more like a small town in the next to the beach with a really relaxed atmosphere. There are usually lots of backpackers and surfers here and the atmosphere is very relaxed.
Brisbane
Brisbane is an underrated city to visit, well it gets minimum attention compared to Melbourne and Sydney for example. There are lots of affordable accommodation including with prices are generally much cheaper than other cities in the country.
If you visit Brisbane in summer there is a great outdoor beach and park in the city centre and there are also lots of other tourist attractions including the local casino. Brisbane is affectionately known by locals as Bris Vegas and although it isn’t located directly on the beach, the coast isn’t that far away.
WhitSunday Islands
The Whitsudnay Islands are one of the most spectacular places you can visit in the world and if you are lucky enough to visit when it is sunny you will get some spectacular photos. To explore the Whitsunday islands most people book sailing tours which take you around the islands and also to pristine white sandy beaches. Whitehaven beach is often voted the best beach in the world and is a must visit location with a beautiful white sand blue turquoise ocean and nature.
Cairns
Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and it is also one of the hottest places on Earth. Cairns is one of the most northern places to visit on the East Coast of Australia and it is usually the first or the last place most people visit.
Cairns is a very enjoyable place to visit and there are so many amazing day trips and places to see nearby. You do have to be careful with the sun all year round because the ozone layer is very thin so be sure to wear lots of sunscreen and appropriate clothing.
You can’t visit Cairns and not go see the Great Barrier Reef, this is one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world and something you really must see in person. There are lots of boat trips and also options to go snorkelling and scuba diving.
If you’re planning a trip to Australia would like to do the ultimate road trip on the East Coast of Australia really is one of the best destinations in the world. If you ever get the chance to go, you really need to take the opportunity. You will fall in love with Australia and the spectacular places along this legendary route.
East Coast Australia Itinerary Suggestion
Whether you have 2, 3, 4 or 6 weeks to travel the East Coast of Australia, these are some ideas for where to go and how much time to spend in each location.
Australia’s East Coast 2 Week Itinerary
Days 1-3: Sydney.
Days 4-6: Byron Bay.
Days 7-9: Gold Coast, Brisbane.
Days 10-12: Fraser Island.
13-15: Cairns & Great Barrier Reef.
Australia’s East Coast 4 Week Itinerary
Days 1-5: Sydney & Blue Mountains.
Days 6-12: Port Macquarie & Byron Bay.
Days 13-19: Gold Coast, Brisbane & Noosa.
Days 20-25: Hervey Bay, Fraser Island & Cairns.
Days 26-30: Mission Beach, Magnetic Island, Airlie Beach & Whitsundays.
Our 2 week itinerary can easily be adapted for 3 weeks, spending a little more time in each location. and also seeing other places nearby. The same with our 4 week itinerary suggestion, you can do this in 6 weeks and just spend more time enjoying the surroundings.
Budget
Are you wondering how much does it cost to travel the East Coast of Australia? The average cost really depends on where you go, what transport you use and how many touristy activities you want to do.
A full trip including accommodation, sightseeing trips and food/drink can be done on around AU$2,500-$3,000. But you can end up spending AU$3,000 – $5,000 if you eat and drink out everyday and try to do everything.
There are lots of ways to keep costs down, including travelling on public transport by bus, shopping for food and drink at supermarkets rather than eating at restaurants, avoiding drinking too much alcohol and cutting back on activities. Sometimes though it is worthwhile spending a bit more to absolutely maximise your trip, this region really is amazing.
